Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[rapta]

I wasn't implying they'd have them over a barrel - as I mentioned before, they'd just have to work something out and it would become even more bureaucratic. And then you'd wonder why Fox didn't just release them before 2020 in the first place!

[Geoff D]

Again, it's not Fox's call, it's LFL's. Even after 2020 Fox just can't release Ep IV willy-nilly, they're still beholden to LFL's wishes. That's why I mentioned the 40th anniversary above, if Disney want to celebrate it with, say, theatrical re-releases and remastered BDs and UHD BDs (restored originals or not) then they'll be going thru Fox regardless.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by rapta

But even when Fox's distribution rights for the films run out in 2020, they still have sole rights for A New Hope indefinitely. So would either have to release that themselves or sort something out with Lucasfilm/Disney to release a trilogy set. It's a mess.

As Geoff D posted, it's distribution rights, not ownership. If Fox owned Star Wars the movie then Lucasfilm and Disney wouldn't be making The Force Awakens.

Having the distribution rights owned by another studio isn't a huge deal, if they release a box set after 2020 Fox are only going to get one-sixth what they're getting now. They may actually cut it loose with the numbers don't add up from distribution costs.

Even before Disney bought Lucasfilm, Fox were still distributors only, they couldn't release the films without them.

[Geoff D]

It'll be tantamount to free money for Fox by licensing out the movie for a post-2020 Disney-released box set. I can see why people would think that Fox might play hardball, seeing as the original movie is arguably the jewel in the crown, but they'll probably start off asking for a silly figure and Disney will whittle it down to something more reasonable. (If Disney are feeling flush then they may well try and buy the distribution deal for IV outright.) If they can't reach an agreement then it'll make both sides look a bit silly.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by rapta

And yes we could go on all day about Lucas but the simple fact is, don't buy his films if they're just the tinkered-with versions. That said, I do have THX 1138 and that he also screwed around with...which was completely unnecessary, but not as tragic as it was on the original Star Wars Trilogy. I'm of the belief that until they release the untampered Theatrical Editions, on Blu-ray in some way or form (even if it's with the Special Editions like the 2004 DVD releases were), they're not getting a penny of my money. I'm sure that's the same for a lot of other fans.

I thought the THX-1138 SE was fine; it all seemed to fit together without being distracting.

[pantscratcher]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It's not that Fox don't care enough to; the simple answer is THEY DON'T OWN THE FILMS so they cannot control what's done with the content itself because that's entirely LFL's purview.

Fox own the first movie don't they so while they won't want to upset Lucas I'm sure that if they wanted to they could say screw you and release the first movie in it's original version that Fox funded when Lucas was still a nobody

[Geoff D]

No. They don't own the first movie. They did originally, but Lucas apparently haggled the copyright for Ep IV* out of Fox during negotiations for them to distribute the prequels. Fox were canny enough to insist that they kept the distribution rights in perpetuity (regardless of formats past, present and future) but clearly that didn't trouble Lucas, who at that time couldn't have possibly imagined that his filmmaking comeback would turn so sour that he'd sell LFL to an outside party 20 years later.



* Along with it all the related characters, designs, stories, indicia etc which featured in that first film, otherwise Fox would be free to make their own SW properties using those characters or even do a reboot (kinda like how Kevin McClory was able to make his own separate Bond film because he'd dreamt up the Thunderball story with Fleming), which they cannot.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

No. They don't own the first movie.

People can't seem to grasp this, mate. If Fox owned A New Hope the movie, what exactly would they own? They'd pretty much own Star Wars ... that's what. Han, Luke and Leia and the rest of the gang wouldn't be appearing in the new movies if they did.

All they have is distribution rights, no matter how long the last. They can't pop down to Lucasfilm borrow the negatives and restore the movies, they belong to Lucasfilm.

[Martoto]

Originally Posted by pantscratcher

Fox own the first movie don't they so while they won't want to upset Lucas I'm sure that if they wanted to they could say screw you and release the first movie in it's original version that Fox funded when Lucas was still a nobody

But they also funded the 97 Special Editions. I'm not sure what the arrangements were for subsequent iterations on home video but there's no indication that they would adopt such a stance. They are even less likely to defy Disney, who are the current copyright owners, ultimately.

It may even be that the copyright for Star Wars was renewed with each edition. So Fox as licenced distributors only have the right to copy prints, discs or files of the current versions or whatever version LFL allows them too, like the 2006 DVDs.

[Martoto]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It'll be tantamount to free money for Fox by licensing out the movie for a post-2020 Disney-released box set. I can see why people would think that Fox might play hardball, seeing as the original movie is arguably the jewel in the crown, but they'll probably start off asking for a silly figure and Disney will whittle it down to something more reasonable. (If Disney are feeling flush then they may well try and buy the distribution deal for IV outright.) If they can't reach an agreement then it'll make both sides look a bit silly.

The in perpetuity rights to episode IV, still one of the most successful films of all time, is a considerable asset on Fox's books. That may have a significant influence on their market value. Then again it may not. They have they have the avatar sequels after all. And they continue to enjoy a good relationship with Disney regarding tv rights.

Once rights to the sequels revert back to LFL/Disney I expect the copyright owners to reaquire A New Hope. In fact it may happen before then. Without the say so from Disney, Fox might not expect to generate any more income from Star Wars beyond the currently retailed releases and the aforementioned tv rights. A healthy sum for the early release of the whole kit and kaboodle might be more attractive.

[jimidini]

Originally Posted by rapta

I'm of the belief that until they release the untampered Theatrical Editions, on Blu-ray in some way or form (even if it's with the Special Editions like the 2004 DVD releases were), they're not getting a penny of my money. I'm sure that's the same for a lot of other fans.

signed (except for like the 2004 DVD releases, I will definitely never buy such a bundle and I will also never buy Episodes 1 to 3)

I bought the "slightly" modified VHS cassettes 20 years ago or so, will only buy it again if it's the unmodified versions. And I mean totally unmodified (except for cleanup and such).

And it will happen at some point. Disney loves money.

Maybe Lucas's modifications were even done on purpose. "First I will sell these crapped on versions to some of the fans, because they will buy anything and then some years later I (or Disney) can sell you the unmodified versions".

I mean that new "nooooo" in the original trilogy (if I remember correctly). Or the "Jar-Jar" voice at the end of the trilogy. I doubt that this was Lucas's vision, it's just Lucas f***ing with the fans.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Fnord Prefect

I daren't ask: what Jar-Jar voice?

During the celebrations you can hear Jar-Jar shouting "Weesa free!" or words to similar affect.

[Geoff D]

I don't think it's actually Jar Jar, it's just some random gungans celebrating. But seeing how people hate that race in general, it might as well be Jar Jar.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I don't think it's actually Jar Jar, it's just some random gungans celebrating. But seeing how people hate that race in general, it might as well be Jar Jar.

Jar-Jar's voice is pretty distinctive when compared to other Gungans. If I was a betting man, I'd wager it was him ... my eye twitches like Clint Eastwood looking at some punks in Dirty Hary when I hear him, so that's a good sign!

[Geoff D]

I can't believe I'm even arguing such a trivial point but it's all I seem to do these days, so what the hell: he sounds different to Boss Nass and the like but I doubt he's the only Gungan with such a high pitched voice.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I can't believe I'm even arguing such a trivial point but it's all I seem to do these days, so what the hell: he sounds different to Boss Nass and the like but I doubt he's the only Gungan with such a high pitched voice.

It wasn't Ahmed Best doing the voice at any rate, it was Mathew Wood, so I'll concede that it's just a regular Gungan, but it still made my eye twitch.

[Geoff D]

So you're not just winking at everyone then, it's your Gunganitis playing up. Gotcha.

[ptb2010]

I am so confused. Could somebody direct me to the cover of the Blu Ray release that contains the original unaltered versions of episodes IV, V, and VI? Amazon just print all reviews under every different release. Thanks in advance.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by ptb2010

I am so confused. Could somebody direct me to the cover of the Blu Ray release that contains the original unaltered versions of episodes IV, V, and VI? Amazon just print all reviews under every different release. Thanks in advance.

Sadly, there isn't one

[Patient-X]

Originally Posted by ptb2010

I am so confused. Could somebody direct me to the cover of the Blu Ray release that contains the original unaltered versions of episodes IV, V, and VI? Amazon just print all reviews under every different release. Thanks in advance.

The original, unaltered versions aren't available on Blu-ray.